Kathmandu: The Kathmandu District Court has ruled to detain Nepal CPN (Maoist Centre) Vice-chair and former Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara at a hospital for further investigation in connection with the gold smuggling case.
According to Superintendent of Police Hobindra Bogati, Spokesperson of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police, the court ordered Mahara to be kept at Norvic Hospital due to health reasons. Mahara, who was arrested from Kapilvastu earlier today, will remain at the hospital for the entirety of his four-day remand.
Mahara had requested to stay at the hospital as he required eight different types of medicines.
Earlier today, the Kathmandu District Court granted a four-day remand extension for Mahara's interrogation in relation to the gold scam. He was arrested from Kapilvastu and subsequently brought to Kathmandu for further investigation.
The CIB, under the direction of the court, will continue its investigation during Mahara's remand. Previously, Mahara was released by the CIB after providing his statement. His arrest was made in line with recommendations from the high-level probe commission on gold smuggling, led by former high court chief judge Dilli Raj Acharya.
Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane had instructed the police to pursue investigations against all individuals implicated in the gold smuggling case, as recommended by the high commission.
Mahara has been linked to a Chinese national involved in smuggling 61 kg of gold concealed in 'Brake Shoes' on July 18 last year, as well as nine kilograms of gold concealed in electronic cigarettes. Mahara's son Rahul and former Vice-President Nanda Bahadur Pun's son Dipesh Pun have also been arrested in connection with the case.
The reshuffling of officials within the CIB followed the commission's report pointing out flaws in the initial investigation. Superintendent of Police Sanjay Singh Thapa and Deputy Superintendents of Police Rugam Kunwar and Durga Dahal have been called to the Police Headquarters for further inquiry.
A new team from the CIB is currently handling the investigation, with the Council of Ministers deciding to implement the recommendations of the commission. As part of the intensified investigation, Mahara, among others, was detained following his association with individuals involved in the gold scam.